Local traders have mixed views on Navan 2030 plans

There has been a mixed reaction among Navan's traders to the proposals to reverse the direction of traffic on Bridge Street and Ludlow Street and to the pedestrianisation of Trimgate Street.

Trimgate St trader, Jack Kiernan said the people who shop on Trimgate St were from the older generation and wanted to be able to park and pop into the shop.

"We also have a lot of alleyways off Trimgate St and there is a problem with anti-social behaviour. I believe that we should have cars on Trimgate St. It isn't ready for pedestrianisation."

In October last year, traders of Trimgate St said a resounding no to pedestrianisation when there was unanimous opposition to the council's plans at a meeting attended by 35 of the street's traders.

They warned pedestrianisation would have a negative impact on business, with footfall, anti-social behaviour and the loss of parking spaces as the main causes for concern.

They said people like to be able to access the main street by car and the lack of parking has always been an issue.

Sean McGrane who runs a butchers shop on Ludlow Street believes that the reversal of traffic on the street will be a disaster.

"The buildings are old and the street is narrow. Heavy vehicles driving up the street and being stopped at the top will mean an increase in revving, noise and fumes and it will shake the buildings.

"When the traffic used to come up this street, the noise and fumes were terrible. The buildings are older now than they were then.

"It doesn't make sense to have the traffic travelling up the hill. Traffic coming uphill will be much louder than traffic going down.

"Fumes are my biggest worry. I have my door open all day. There are a lot of people living in this street. Nearly every building has apartments upstairs. The noise and fumes will be dreadful for residents."

Bridge St publican, Damien Clarke said the work has already been done in the street. "We have been prepared for it from last year. People coming in from the Dublin road will find it a quicker route to the Fair Green. I don't see it as a negative," he said.